"When you’re going to do a cake, you really have to have a battle plan!"

Melissa Collom brings Julia Child to life in a witty one-woman performance

Bon Appétit! is a one-woman opera adapted from a classic Julia Child television broadcast.

In this portable production, Melissa Collom stars as the master chef demonstrating how to make a classic French chocolate cake as only she can. Lee Hoiby’s lively score illuminates Child’s words and witticisms, taking the audience on a musical journey to match the culinary adventure unfolding before their eyes.

Seasoned opera-goers and foodies are equally delighted by this fully sung production with familiar musical themes and a hilarious, feverishly whisking chef who creates a masterpiece with flour flying and egg-beaters racing.

Julia Child was America's original celebrity chef who created the first television cooking show in 1962. Her amiable and eccentric personality made her endearing, and her occasional kitchen foibles and colorful language brought fun to her studio kitchen.

In the spirit of her proclamation “Cooking is not a chore, it is a joy!” Lee Hoiby has set her words to a bright and accessible score which is sure to be appreciated by both food and music lovers alike.

While “chocolate is much more complicated than any of us suspect,” staging requirements for this performance are very simple.

This production brings all the key props and visual components, allowing it to be performed in venues ranging from black-box theaters to private homes. Outside the theater, this tasty opera morsel is a great way to add music and fun to gala dinners, food festivals, board meetings or parties.

The show is highly adaptable can be tailored to suit the occasion:

It can be presented as a stand-alone theatrical piece, as part of a longer recital program, or in combination with other performers.

The piece can be performed with piano or 11-piece chamber ensemble.

We can arrange a cameo walk-on during the piece for a VIP or special audience member.

My specialty is bringing self-contained musical performances to venues of every type.